Blueberries are the February Harvest of the Month

It’s easier to achieve wellness goals when we can have something sweet along the way. That’s why we’re featuring blueberries as this month’s Harvest of the Month. Blueberries are sweet, juicy and full of nutrients and antioxidants – making them the perfect addition to some of your favorite meals, baked goods and snacks.

Try the delicious blueberry recipes we have for you this month and learn more about these healthy little berries, including how to keep them fresh.

During the month of February, you may find blueberries used more abundantly in a variety of recipes from our cafeterias.

Did You Know?

  • Ten states grow 98% of US blueberries – Washington, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey
  • Blueberries are great frozen: just pour them on top of a foil-lined baking sheet. They take about three hours to fully freeze and they stay tasty in the freezer for up to 6 months
  • Blueberries are native to North America and have been consumed for about 13,000 years
  • Global production of blueberries has more than doubled between 2012 and 2019
  • In 2019, the U.S. produced over 339,000 tons of blueberries. It’s estimated that this number will increase as blueberries become a more popular addition to a variety of foods and beverages

Try These Delicious Recipes

Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
Greek Yogurt with Blueberry Sauce
Healthy Blueberry Muffins

How to Buy & Store: Choose fragrant, firm blueberries that are dark blue. As soon as you get home, inspect the blueberries for any signs of mold. If you see a moldy blueberry, discard it immediately. A moldy blueberry can accelerate spoilage of the whole batch. Do not rinse the blueberries until it’s time to eat them, because moisture on the berries can cause mold growth in storage. When chosen and stored properly, blueberries can last for up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Making it Kid-Friendly: Most kids already like sweet berries. Some kid-favorite ways to eat blueberries include:

  • In baked goods such as healthy, homemade muffins
  • On top of oatmeal or cereal
  • In fruit salad
  • Straight from the container (after being rinsed)

We recommend eating blueberries alongside healthy fats and protein (such as nuts) for a balanced snack. 

Nutrition and Health Benefits: For so few calories, blueberries pack a lot of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. They’re a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and fiber. The antioxidants found in blueberries might help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve brain function and memory.

Calories: 41Protein: 0.5g
Total Fat: 0gDietary Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 7gVitamin C: 7mg
Sodium: 1mgVitamin K: 14.5mcg
Total Carbohydrate: 8gManganese: 500mcg
Potassium: 56mgMagnesium: 1.56mg

Serving Size: 1/2 cup blueberries